Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation: Learn from All I Observe

CHAPTER 2

Learn from All I Observe

You are already coming out, rising fast, I will follow you all day, I will “learn from all that I observe” in the world. Late in the evening as you disappear, I shall be that much wiser.

BENNY SMITHFull-blood bilingual Cherokee traditionalist

WHAT IS THE FIRST LESSON?

For me, the first lesson began appropriately enough at my inauguration as principal chief in 1999. We chose to conduct the ceremonies at the Cherokee Nation capitol building in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Tahlequah became the capital of the Cherokee Nation ...